2011 Cadillac CTS problems
Owners have filed 148 complaints about the 2011 Cadillac CTS with NHTSA. Air bags account for 15.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 15.5%.
Complaints148
Crashes14
Fires6
Injuries8
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Air bags 15.5% · 23
Power train 15.5% · 23
Electrical system 13.5% · 20
Engine 8.8% · 13
Steering 7.4% · 11
Structure 6.1% · 9
Exterior lighting 5.4% · 8
Vehicle speed control 4.7% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 14 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire and 8 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Cadillac CTS in this data, 2011 draws comparatively few complaints; 2003 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 14 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 37,960 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. While driving approximately 25 to 30 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a post. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was injured and was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact did not know if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The vin was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000. Air bags · reported at 31,000 miles
Passenger air bag sensor in seat, occupant sensor or pps, is faulty. Check air bag warning alert remains on or is intermittent, even if no contents or person on passenger seat. Very similar to gm recall 08373 for first generation Cadillac CTS occupant sensor for passenger airbag. If using the same design, and not corrected, the recall should be extended to the second generation CTS vehicles. Air bags · reported at 4,085 miles
While driving on a windy mountain road at approx 45 mph, going into a sharp left hand turn, the steering wheel would not turn any further. It felt as though the steering had gone out completely. This caused me to travel straight into an embankment and launch into the woods. No injuries. Air bags did not deploy. Radiator was bent into a u shape. No idea why none of the airbags didn't deploy Air bags · reported at 84,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…